The Importance of Pauses
One aspect of Golden Lotus Yoga is the importance of the pause after doing a posture or perhaps a few similar postures in a row. During this pause time is where we observe the body, mind and spirit. We tune in to feel the energy flow, observe the heartbeat, body temperature, the breath, new circulation, the prana rising up the spine, any other sensations, and allow yoga to occur.
Of course, we are also mindful as we go into the posture, while we are surrendering into the posture or holding, and as we are exiting the posture. That is what makes this style of Hatha Yoga so special. We are not continually moving, moving, moving. We pause and observe, we become aware. We are aware of what is happening within and without.
“In my silence, God’s silence ceases.”
Paramahansa Yogananda
It is easiest to become aware of the physical self because we can feel the stretches, the squeezes, the twists. We notice how one side might be tighter or easier than the other. We become aware of the physical sensations, the breath, heartbeat, circulation, prana flow, and so on. Once we become aware of the physical self then we can become aware of the thoughts, feelings, and emotions that are going on in our mind. And once we become aware of our minds, we can then become aware of our higher Self, our consciousness, our connection to the universe, the planet, to others and indeed to our Self and God.
We take this awareness out into our daily lives, we see more, we hear more, we empathize more, we have more compassion and understanding of everything around us. We see little miracles all around us and it all starts with mindfully observing during the pauses. Paramahansa Yogananda says. “In my silence, God’s silence ceases.”
During the pauses we go into a neutral pose, either seated, standing or lying and focus at the spiritual eye, the spot between the eyebrows, the seat of higher consciousness, the seat of the divine perception, wisdom and intuition. Yoganandaji says that it is the most sacred place on the planet where we can go. It is not just a time to rest, though that also may happen. While doing the postures we are sending energy from our center out through our limbs, and during the pause we are withdrawing it back into the center to allow it to rise up the astral spine. Using the will to help it rise is also encouraged.
“As the breath, so the mind.”
Paramahansa Yogananda
As we become more attuned to the pauses, the more we notice that the pause, the breath and the mind are connected. This will allow us to become more focused as we do the postures, and the calmer the breath becomes the calmer the mind becomes. “As the breath, so the mind.” With this centeredness and calmness, the pauses in our breathing may even become longer. Sri Yogananda said, “Where motion ceases, God begins.” He tells us that when we calm the breath, we calm the mind. When the mind is calm the heart calms. When the heart is calm it is easier to withdraw the senses, and with the senses withdrawn it is easier to go deeper into relaxation, easier to go deeper into prayer and meditation. It all begins with the breath. The pauses help us to focus on the breath and then the breath begins to have pauses also. It is in these pauses that we connect to our higher Self, and Yoga happens.
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